OPELIKA, ALA. — The LSU men’s golf team struggled through a windy second round here today at the Billy Hitchcock Invitational, dropping two positions overall into a tie for seventh place with 18 holes remaining.
Host Auburn increased their lead on the rest of the field today, shooting 297 (281-297–578 +2) as a team to extend their lead on second place Mississippi State (282-299–581 +5) to three strokes. LSU (291-305–596) shot 305 as they struggled amid 30+ mph winds at Saugahatchee Country Club.
Individually, Mississippi State’s Alex Rocha (62-71–133) continues to lead in the race for medalist honors, shooting a second round one-under par 71 to put himself at 11 under par for the tournament. LSU’s Alan Morgan (71-71–142) stands in second place going into the final day thanks to a round of one-under 71, putting him at two-under par for the tournament, nine strokes off Rocha’s pace. Along with Morgan and Rocha, D.J. Fiese of Georgia Tech was the only golfer to card sub-par rounds during the second round of the tournament.
Also contributing for the Tigers was Jeremy Wilkinson, who shot four-over 76 to put himself at eight-over par in a tie for 33rd position overall. John Humphries shot a second round 82 at 10-over par, dropping from ninth after day one to tied for 37th position overall. Mike Vallillo shot a nine over 81, dropping from 20th position to tied for 41st at 10 over-par. Billy Dressler also competed for the Tigers, shooting a second round five-over 77, putting him tied in 44th position at 11 over.
The tournament concludes tomorrow, with the final 18 holes beginning at 8 a.m.